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mohair.com.au

a site sponsored by Lara Downs Mohair Farm

 

Read all about the wonderful natural fibre known as MOHAIR

and it's many uses as well as

news from the mohair industry:

MOHAIR NEWS

Lara Downs Yarns at Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show July 2010

This annual event in the fibre lovers calendar is not to be missed. There are a hugh number of stall holders presenting an amazing range of natural fibres in multiple forms and colours. Lara Downs has been a regular stall holder in Osborne Hall for many years and we will be there again from Friday July16th to Sunday July 18th.

If you knit, felt, spin or just love natural fibres - Be there !

open fleeceAngoraglow mohair yarn

Angora goats grow a fibre which is silky smooth, soft to the touch and has a beautiful sheen or lustre. Grown in wavy locks, it resembles curly human hair although much finer and is called mohair. Like the real pearl, mohair has a soft lustrous beauty and has been highly valued for centuries. It is this special quality which sets mohair apart from the other luxury natural animal fibres of the world.

Being a natural fibre with a smooth surface, mohair is not only lustrous but has many other useful properties including imparting warmth without weight, is moisture absorbent and dirt and stain resistant.. Another advantage of using mohair is it's crease resistance; creases simply dropping out of the fabric if hung for any length of time.

Baby Angoras or Kids, grow super fine, delightfully curly mohair used in luxury yarns, fine knitwear and men's top quality suiting, to name only a few products where it is used. The best quality kid mohair feels luxurious and can be worn against the skin. Lara Downs Angoraglow yarn fits into this category easily. Mohair from mature Angora goats is stronger and while still soft to touch, is best used for blankets, outer clothing, upholstery eg velour and soft furnishings where its excellent warming and draping qualities come into their own. While the various types of mohair are used for many purposes already, there are no doubt many more opportunities for using mohair to advantage. The current and possible future uses of mohair will be explored on this page, as will their manufacturers and/or creators. Contributions from external contributors would be welcome.

>> current and potential uses & users of mohair

Lara Downs Mohair & Merino farm offers a select range of luxury mohair and merino wool products including apparel, mohair throws and handcraft supplies including raw fibre, tops and yarn. "Angoraglow", Lara Downs' flagship product, is a super fine lustrous pure kid mohair yarn with a smooth sleek finish. See photo top right - this page. Pam and David Goble are the partners behind this venture. You can view an on line price list and order form for Lara Downs mohair handcraft products.

 

Adele's Mohair is an exciting venture in co-operative development and self help in South Africa, initiated by Adele Cutten. Adele and her band of workers produce unique hand crafted (spun, dyed, knitted ) yarns and garments distributed world wide. Lara Downs is the Australian distributor for some of Adele's products including these lovely mohair shawls and yarns

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What is a Mohair Cinch?

Darin Alexander from Arizona Texas, explains that a Cinch or cinches is the English version of the Spanish "Cincha."  The western horse saddle was based on the Spanish designs which were more suited to the rigors of the western "frontier."  He goes on to say " my understanding is that many languages share variations of the word in association with belts or the action of tightening something". 

Darin runs a business devoted to the design and creation of unique cinches, which are woven belts or girths for horses. He explains that strength is one reason for the use of mohair.  Durability, breath ability, and slickness of the fiber are also important factors. One saddle maker Darin recently met, has been using the same mohair cinch for nearly 50 years! 

Read more about mohair cinches on Darin's website.

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Prestige Fibres in the UK has developed some beautiful and unique mohair products including the superb mohair/wool/silk (70/20/10) blend floor rug seen at right.

Their hand tufted hearth rug (below) made from 90% mohair 10% nylon is also a real luxury product . More information about mohair and Prestige Fibres Ltd speciality mohair products is available from their web site.

 

 

International Mohair Summit

Mohair South Africa in conjunction with Inkanyezi Event Organisers held an International Mohair Summit in South Africa during November 2009. This event was staged to celebrate all that is wonderful about mohair, as well as to develop strategies for promoting mohair on the world stage. It provided a showcase of mohair products in all their diversity.

See some of the mohair fashions on show at the Summit below:

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Jean Paul Barnard exhibited some beautiful woven mohair throws and blankets under his brand name Mohair Weavers of South Africa

at the 2009 Summit.

A select range of these new fashion throws are available from Precious Purl, Lara Downs' retail outlet in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

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Anyone wishing to promote their mohair product or mohair related event on this web site should contact the web master .
© Lara Downs 2007 All Rights Reserved.